Latest news with #TheAssociatedPress'


San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to Stream: Madonna, 'Happy Gilmore 2,' Judge Judy and Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd team up
Adam Sandler's hockey player-turned-golfer Happy Gilmore returning for a second movie and Madonna's long-rumored album 'Veronica Electronica' are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time, as selected by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists: Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd playing father and daughter in the horror-comedy 'Death of a Unicorn,' gamers get a pirate adventure with Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Judge Judy rules on true crime in her new series for Prime Video, 'Justice on Trial.' New movies to stream from July 21-27 — It's been almost 30 years since we first met Adam Sandler's hockey player-turned-golfer Happy Gilmore, but Sandler finally got the gang back together for a sequel. 'Happy Gilmore 2,' coming to Netflix on Friday, July 25, brings back many familiar faces, including Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, alongside an army of new co-stars from Bad Bunny to Post Malone as well as a few familiar faces in the golf world. This time around, Happy also has kids, including four hockey goon sons played by Ethan Cutkosky ('Shameless'), Conor Sherry ('Shake Shack'), Maxwell Jacob Friedman (a pro wrestler) and newcomer Philip Schneider. Here's hoping it's as quotable as the first — we've been needing some new Sandlerisms. — November, and 'Wicked: For Good,' is coming fast. What better time to catch up with 'Wicked,' which begins streaming on Prime Video on Friday, July 25? In her review for The Associated Press, Jocelyn Noveck wrote that it might convert a non-musical lover into one, but that, 'if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love 'Wicked,' well then, you will likely love this film.' — Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd play father and daughter in the horror-comedy 'Death of a Unicorn,' about, well, just that (and also exploitative billionaires). It was met with mixed reviews: Some enjoyed the chemistry of the characters and the fun it has with its outlandish plot, while others saw those efforts as strained and hollow. You can decide for yourself when it hits HBO Max on Friday, July 25. Richard E. Grant and Will Poulter also star. — AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr New music to stream from July 21-27 — It is the stuff of pop music mythology. Madonna's long-rumored album 'Veronica Electronica' — originally conceived as a remix companion to 1998's blockbuster 'Ray of Light' — finally arrives Friday, July 25. It is that and more. Begin with the new-to-fans, original demo of 'Gone, Gone, Gone.' — The second and final part of an expansive documentary series on the life and career of Billy Joel hits HBO Max on Friday, July 25. And it's not too late to catch up on the first half of 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' either. It's an in-depth look at the beloved singer-songwriter, replete with never-before-seen performance footage and more. — Rock 'n' roll fans, listen up. On Friday, July 25, the original Alice Cooper band lineup reunites to release 'The Revenge Of Alice Cooper,' the first album in over 50 years to feature that original lineup. It gives the album a sort of revived spirit — all high-octane riffs. — AP Music Writer Maria Sherman New series to stream from July 21-27 — Judy Sheindlin, beloved for her syndicated series 'Judge Judy' that ended production in 2021 after 25 years, rules on true crime in her new series for Prime Video. In 'Justice on Trial,' actual criminal court cases are recreated by trial lawyers with Sheindlin presiding over the courtroom. Will she find the right decision was made? Find out Monday when all eight episodes drop. — Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow star in 'The Hunting Wives' for Netflix. It's based on a thriller mystery novel by May Cobb. Snow plays Sophie, a woman whose husband's job requires trading the East Coast for east Texas. She's a fish out of water until she meets Margot (Akerman,) the queen bee of a group of women known as the Hunting Wives. These wives aren't trading recipes or having tea — they like to party. Sophie finds Margot's carefree lifestyle and confidence to be intoxicating until she gets caught up in a murder investigation. All eight episodes drop Monday. — A new Hulu miniseries called 'Washington Black' is also based on a book of the same name, but this one was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2018. Set in the early 1800s, Wash — short for George Washington Black — is born into slavery in Barbados. Wash's talent for art and curiosity catches the attention of a scientist named Titch (played by Tom Ellis), who encourages his education and creativity. When danger strikes, Titch and Wash escape in a hot-air balloon that lands in Nova Scotia. The series follows Wash's adventures as he grows into a man played by newcomer Ernest Kingsley Jr. Sterling K. Brown is an executive producer and also has a role in the show. Stream the episodes beginning Wednesday. — An acclaimed British crime drama called 'Code of Silence' comes to BritBox on Thursday. Rose Ayling-Ellis plays a deaf cafeteria worker who begins working with the local police because of her ability to read lips. This new world is exhilarating but also dangerous. The show has already been renewed for a second season. New video games to play from July 21-27 — Last year's Black Myth: Wukong turned Chinese folklore into a blockbuster game, and another Chinese studio is hoping to repeat that success with Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. It tells the tale of a pirate who wakes up with amnesia and a bad case of 'feathering' — not only is she sprouting blue plumage, but it's driving her insane. The adventure takes place during the end of the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s, and Chengdu-based developer Leenzee Games promises a mix of historical figures and supernatural monsters. Take flight Thursday, on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC. — Lou Kesten


Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Takeaways from the AP's reporting on Trump's business deals
WASHINGTON (AP) — From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of cellphones, President Donald Trump's family businesses have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars since his election. That flood of money — from billionaires, foreign governments and cryptocurrency tycoons, often with interests before the federal government — has permitted the president to leverage the power of his office for personal gain unlike any of his predecessors. The sums collected are far greater than those made by the family during Trump's first term, when patronage of his hotels and other properties was de rigueur to curry favor with the famously transactional commander-in-chief. Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press' reporting on the Trump family's latest money-making ventures: By the numbers Trump made money during his first term by turning his hotels and resort properties into destinations for his MAGA allies — and those who sought to curry favor with him. This time around, the family's ambitions are grander. One of Trump's cryptocurrencies is conservatively estimated to have pulled in at least $320 million since January, while another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund. A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens. His sons have jetted across the Middle East to line up new development deals, while his daughter and son-in-law are working with the Albanian government to build a Mediterranean island resort. Even first lady Melania Trump has inked a $40 million documentary deal with Amazon, whose founder, Jeff Bezos, was a frequent target of Trump during his first presidency and whose companies contract extensively with the federal government. He's also touted a line of Trump shoes, a Bible that is made in China, and Trump guitars, one of which is a Gibson Les Paul knockoff, featuring 'Make America Great Again' fret inlays, that sells for $1,500. He's continued to make money from political spending at his hotels, resorts and golf courses, as he has done for over a decade. Conservative groups and Republican committees have spent at least $25 million at Trump properties since 2015, with most of it coming from Trump's own political organization, campaign finance disclosures show Is this normal? Since Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace, presidents have gone to great lengths to avoid the appearance of such conflicts. Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan kept assets in a 'blind trust,' while George H.W. Bush used a 'diversified trust,' which blocked him from knowing what was in his portfolio. His son, George W. Bush, used a similar arrangement. Barack Obama was an exception, but his investments were mostly a bland mix of index funds and U.S. treasuries. During his first term, Trump even gave a nod toward ethics, issuing a moratorium on foreign deals. But instead of placing his assets in a blind trust like many of his predecessors, he handed the reins of the Trump Organization to his children, which kept his financial holdings close. This time, his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are again running the business. But there is no moratorium on foreign deals. Though the White House says Trump is not involved in its day-to-day decisions, the trust he has established for his holdings continues to profit. The 'Crypto President' Trump was once a skeptic, calling cryptocurrencies 'a scam.' That changed after he realized he could make money. Business ventures he holds an interest in have since launched three different crypto coins that have collectively pulled in billions of dollars in investments and revenues. Trump and his family have a majority ownership stake in World Liberty Financial that entitles them to 75% of earnings from their first coin, $WLFI, released last September, according to the company's website. The venture was helped along by some with interests before the Trump administration. Justin Sun, a Chinese-born crypto billionaire, purchased $30 million worth of $WLFI tokens, which helped the company clear an early capitalization target. He has since disclosed investing at least $60 million more into Trump's various cryptocurrencies. In February, the Trump administration paused a securities fraud case against him. Days before his inauguration, Trump announced another cryptocurrency, a meme coin called $Trump. Often created as a joke with no real utility, meme coins are prone to wild price swings that often enrich a small group of insiders at the expense of less sophisticated investors. $Trump soared to $70, but its price soon collapsed, losing money for many. Trump did well, though. By the end of April, the coin had earned over $320 million in fees for its creators, according to an analysis by the crypto tracking firm Chainalysis. A third cryptocurrency, a 'stablecoin' called USD1, launched in April. It drew a $2 billion investment from a fund controlled by the United Arab Emirates government. The Trump's can invest that money and keep the interest that it earns, estimated to be worth around $80 million a year. Soon after the purchase was announced, Trump granted the UAE greater access to U.S. artificial intelligence chips, which it had long sought. What does Trump have to say? Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Trump was recently asked at the White House about the conflicts of interest that his family's crypto holdings present. He largely sidestepped the question. 'We've created a very powerful industry. That's much more important than anything that we invest in,' the president said. 'I don't care about investing. You know, I have kids and they invest in it, because they do believe in it.' He added: 'But I'm president, and what I did do there was build an industry that's very important. And, if we didn't have it, China would.' Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman, reiterated that Trump's crypto boosterism isn't driven by self-interest. He 'is taking decisive action to establish regulatory clarity for digital financial technology and to secure America's position as the world's leader in the digital asset economy,' Fields said.


Japan Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
What to Stream: Dragons, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Roddy Ricch and 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
The live-action remake of the animated film 'How to Train Your Dragon' and a two-part, five-hour documentary on Billy Joel are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time, as selected by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists: The long-delayed third album from rapper Roddy Ricch, 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' returns for its third and final season and two arcade favorites — Donkey Kong and Pac-Man — get reinvented for gamers. — Movie theaters are crowded enough this summer that one recent box-office hit is already coming to homes. Universal Pictures' 'How to Train Your Dragon' hits premium video on demand on Tuesday, just 31 days after it debuted in cinemas. The live-action remake of the DreamWorks Animation dragon tale has surpassed $500 million in global ticket sales. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr raved: 'Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated films, it also doesn't feel superfluous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.' — Billy Joel recently canceled his summer tour after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. But 'Piano Man' fans can still get their Joel fix in 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' a two-part, five-hour documentary. The first part will arrive on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, July 18, with the second part following on July 25. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin cover Joel's life and career, with interviews with Joel, his family, his ex-wives and musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. — Petra Costa's 'Apocalypse in the Tropics' (Netflix, Monday) documents the rise of the far right in Brazil. Costa's follow-up to her Oscar-nominated 'The Edge of Democracy' digs into the role of the evangelical movement in bringing former president Jair Bolsonaro to power. Bolsonaro is currently standing trial for an alleged coup attempt in 2023, a trial that U.S. President Donald Trump has called a 'witch hunt.' — AP Film Writer Jake Coyle — Delayed from February, rapper Roddy Ricch returns with his third album on Friday, July 18, 'The Navy Album.' The Compton rapper, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX,' has put out a few singles from the new collection, including 'Survivor's Remorse' and 'Lonely Road.' The latter features Terrace Martin and was released with a video of him cruising through the city seeing angels and the lyrics: 'Roddy rap like the rent due/Roddy tell 'em the whole truth.' — Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' has been everywhere in 2025; it's a big, inoffensive ballad with loosely religious themes, meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it succeeds, due in part to the fact that Warren sings in a faux-British accent. On Friday, July 18, he'll release his debut full-length on Atlantic Records, 'You'll Be Alright, Kid.' Expect a lot more soul and get the tissues ready. — Fresh off a hot new track for the summer blockbuster 'F1' soundtrack, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers will release a new album, 'ISLAND BOYZ,' on Friday, July 18. It's just what the heart wants during these hot months — feel good reggaeton, urban pop and Latin trap. — AP Music Writer Maria Sherman — Are you Team Jellyfish or Team Bonrad? If you have no idea what that means, you probably don't watch 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.' The show returns for its third and final season on Wednesday on Prime Video. It's about a young woman named Belly (Lola Tung) who is torn between two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney. The series is based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han. — In the second season of Prime Video's 'Surf Girls' series, cameras follow five up-and-coming female surfers who travel the globe to compete in the Challenger Series. "Surf Girls: International" focuses on both new and returning surfers that were featured in Season 1. A goal is to spotlight women in a sport that has often been skewed by sexism. All five episodes drop Thursday. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. — In the films 'The Dry' and 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2,' Eric Bana played a federal agent investigating murders in his native Australia. In the new Netflix series 'Untamed,' Bana plays a U.S. law enforcement officer investigating the mysterious death of a woman at Yosemite National Park. Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Wilson Bethel also star. It premieres Thursday. — Alicia Rancilio — For a guy who started off as a villain, Donkey Kong has proven to be one of Nintendo's most versatile heroes, doing everything from driving to playing drums to (seriously) teaching math. Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on what he does best: punching things. Someone has stolen his bananas, so it's up to DK to smash his way through the Underground World in pursuit of the culprits. It's the first 3D adventure for the big lug in a long time, and Nintendo has said it comes from the same team that developed the bestselling Super Mario Odyssey. Start swinging Thursday on Switch 2. — Another arcade favorite — Pac-Man — returns in Shadow Labyrinth, although publisher Bandai Namco has radically altered the pellet-chomper. Here, you play as Swordsman No. 8, an explorer who is accompanied by a mysterious yellow orb named Puck. As you traverse the 2D alien world, you may be reminded of a different classic: 1986's Metroid. There are some levels that look more like Pac-Man mazes, though, and you will still hunt and be hunted by ghosts — which are now called 'G-Hosts.' It's a weird and edgy approach to the legend, and it arrives Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC. — Lou Kesten © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Takeaways from report on Democrats lining up for 2028 presidential race
Democrats' political jockeying for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. It's only 2025, but several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in the states that will matter most in the nomination process. And with no clear Democratic front-runner, upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary. Here are highlights from The Associated Press' reporting on possible hopefuls' moves in traditional early voting states: South Carolina hot in July Over the span of 10 days this month, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina. The state is expected to host the Democratic Party's opening presidential primary contest in early 2028, although the calendar hasn't been finalized. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop last week, although he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party for the midterms. Term-limited Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear, who acknowledges he's considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina later this week. He'll focus on the state's Black community, while drawing an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues. California Rep Ro Khanna, a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, will target union members and Black voters when he's in the state a few days later. And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations about a potential run with key South Carolina Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn. A Kentucky Democrat up next Beshear, Kentucky's 47-year-old two-term governor, is scheduled to make multiple appearances in South Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday in what will be his first visit to the state on political grounds. He'll highlight his appeal among red-state moderates and Black voters in a Thursday speech hosted by the Georgetown County Democrats in a region that voted three times for Trump and has a large African American population. Democrats have a huge opportunity to seize the middle and win back the voters who have been increasingly skeptical of the Democratic brand. But it's going to take focus and discipline, he will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by the AP. Already a sense of urgency Texas Rep Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic party, told the AP that presidential prospects need to be more visible earlier as Democrats work to recover from their disastrous performance in the 2024 election. What freaks most Democrats out is not really understanding who's up next. Like, who's got next? she said. And I think that that is really what people want most; they want their presidential nominee now. Voters and local officials in key states tend to agree. Jody Gaulin, the Democratic chair in South Carolina's deep-red Oconee County, hopes the energy that comes along with potential presidential hopefuls could boost her party's ranks. This is exactly what we've been waiting for, Gaulin said. In New Hampshire, 46-year-old Democrat Jane Lescynski was eager to answer when asked to what extent she's thinking about the 2028 presidential election. I can't wait, she said. Clyburn the kingmaker? Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democratic congressman, told the AP he's had direct contact with Emanuel, Beshear and Khanna. He also appeared with Newsom last week and Maryland Gov Wes Moore in May. Clyburn said he doesn't have an early favourite in the 2028 Democratic nomination contest and may not endorse at all in what he expects to be a very large field. It can be Gavin Newsom, it can be Wes Moore, Andy Beshear, Ro Khanna, whoever it is, I think they're going to have a very good reception amongst the voters, Clyburn told the AP. I feel good about Democrats in general. Don't sleep on New Hampshire and Iowa New Hampshire Democratic leaders are privately encouraging 2028 prospects to visit the state. Unlike South Carolina, New Hampshire features two competitive House races and a top-tier Senate race in next year's midterms. Minnesota Sen Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned Friday in the state with Rep Chris Pappas, who is expected to represent Democrats on the Senate ballot next fall. She insisted her only purpose in visiting was backing Pappas' campaign. Illinois Gov Pritzker headlined a key state fundraiser in May. And while Iowa may have lost its top spot on the Democrats' primary calendar, with at least two competitive House races it will almost certainly be a top draw for ambitious Democrats. Pete Buttigieg, a former Biden Cabinet member and a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. Others are moving more cautiously. Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run.


Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Takeaways from AP report on Democrats already lining up for the 2028 presidential race
Democrats' political jockeying for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. It's only 2025, but several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in the states that will matter most in the nomination process. And with no clear Democratic front-runner, upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary. Here are highlights from The Associated Press' reporting on possible hopefuls' moves in traditional early voting states: South Carolina hot in July Over the span of 10 days this month, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina. The state is expected to host the Democratic Party's opening presidential primary contest in early 2028, although the calendar hasn't been finalized. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop last week, although he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party for the midterms. Term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear , who acknowledges he's considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina later this week. He'll focus on the state's Black community, while drawing an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues. California Rep. Ro Khanna , a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, will target union members and Black voters when he's in the state a few days later. And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations about a potential run with key South Carolina Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn. A Kentucky Democrat up next Beshear, Kentucky's 47-year-old two-term governor, is scheduled to make multiple appearances in South Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday in what will be his first visit to the state on political grounds. He'll highlight his appeal among red-state moderates and Black voters in a Thursday speech hosted by the Georgetown County Democrats in a region that voted three times for Trump and has a large African American population. 'Democrats have a huge opportunity to seize the middle and win back the voters who have been increasingly skeptical of the Democratic brand. But it's going to take focus and discipline,' he will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by the AP. Already a sense of urgency Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic party, told the AP that presidential prospects 'need to be more visible earlier' as Democrats work to recover from their disastrous performance in the 2024 election. 'What freaks most Democrats out is not really understanding who's up next. Like, who's got next?' she said. 'And I think that that is really what people want most; they want their presidential nominee now.' Voters and local officials in key states tend to agree. Jody Gaulin, the Democratic chair in South Carolina's deep-red Oconee County, hopes the energy that comes along with potential presidential hopefuls could boost her party's ranks. 'This is exactly what we've been waiting for,' Gaulin said. In New Hampshire, 46-year-old Democrat Jane Lescynski was eager to answer when asked to what extent she's thinking about the 2028 presidential election. 'I can't wait,' she said. Clyburn the kingmaker? Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democratic congressman, told the AP he's had direct contact with Emanuel, Beshear and Khanna. He also appeared with Newsom last week and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in May. Clyburn said he doesn't have an early favorite in the 2028 Democratic nomination contest and may not endorse at all in what he expects to be a very large field. 'It can be Gavin Newsom, it can be Wes Moore, Andy Beshear, Ro Khanna, whoever it is, I think they're going to have a very good reception amongst the voters,' Clyburn told the AP. 'I feel good about Democrats in general.' Don't sleep on New Hampshire and Iowa New Hampshire Democratic leaders are privately encouraging 2028 prospects to visit the state. Unlike South Carolina, New Hampshire features two competitive House races and a top-tier Senate race in next year's midterms. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned Friday in the state with Rep. Chris Pappas, who is expected to represent Democrats on the Senate ballot next fall. She insisted her only purpose in visiting was backing Pappas' campaign. Illinois Gov. Pritzker headlined a key state fundraiser in May. And while Iowa may have lost its top spot on the Democrats' primary calendar, with at least two competitive House races it will almost certainly be a top draw for ambitious Democrats. Pete Buttigieg, a former Biden Cabinet member and a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. Others are moving more cautiously. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .